Schools

(WXIA) -- Public libraries across Georgia will participate in this year's Summer Reading Program and college savings sweepstakes.

The initiative, which is hosted by Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan, will award one grand prize and four regional scholarships to five lucky participants. The winners will be chosen at random from five groups.

The grand prize is a college scholarship worth $5,529 and a $1,529 grant for the winner's library. The runners-up will each get $1,529 to put toward a Path2College 529 Plan and $529 for their libraries.

Georgia parents, grandparents and legal guardians can sign up their children at path2college529.com. Entry closes on Aug. 10.

The program provides students with activities throughout the summer and encourages them to read by giving them prizes for finishing books, ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

(WXIA) -- The Class of 2014 is the very first class to graduate from Georgia Cyber Academy, the state's free online public school.

The school will hold a graduation ceremony at noon on Saturday, May 31 at the Gwinnett Center. More than 300 graduating seniors are scheduled to walk across the stage.

"We're so proud of each of our graduates, all of whom have taken the individualized learning that comes with GCA's online curriculum and worked with GCA's world-class teachers to adapt it to best serve and support their own academic successes," GCA head of school Matt Arkin said in a release.

Members of GCA's Class of 2014 were accepted to some of the country's top colleges and universities, including Cornell University, Georgia Tech, the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia.

(WXIA) -- The Georgia Department of Education has created a 2014 Summer Reading Challenge for students in all grades.

The program was announced Thursday at Timber Ridge Elementary School in Cobb County. Its goal is to close the achievement gap that widens during the summer months, when children often don't read.

"No student should have to start the school year having fallen behind," State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. "That's what we know, and that's what we're committed to preventing, because that loss is preventable."

The challenge encourages students to read for at least 15 to 30 minutes every day. The GDOE outlined suggested summer goals for children based on their school years:

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Rising sixth grade students who are interested in joining band or chorus in middle school must register no later than Saturday, May 24.

Band and chorus are exploratory courses at all of Newton County's middle schools. Christine Kraemer, band director at Cousins Middle School in Covington, said music education increases brain development and improves students' overall academic performance, which is why children are encouraged to sign up for such classes.

Kraemer said students do not need to be able to read music to participate. New band and chorus members explore various instruments and voice parts, respectively, until they find the perfect fit.

COVINGTON, Ga. -- Join the Newton High School community for a 5K and cookout this weekend.

The Running Rams 5K will be held Saturday, May 17. Race day registration for this afternoon race opens at 2:45 p.m. Runners will begin at 4 p.m., while a tot trot for children under age 6 is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m.

All runners are invited to stick around for a barbecue and awards ceremony after the race.

Fees are $25 for the 5K or $20 per runner for groups of 10 or more. The tot trot is free for participants. Proceeds will benefit the Newton High School track and field team.

ATLANTA – We now have the latest information on how well Georgia students are performing academically.

The Georgia Department of Education released its latest College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) Monday morning.

The CCRPI measures on a scale from 1-100 how schools are performing. It adds another 10 points to schools with students enrolled in high-level academic courses or with high performing students in certain areas, including special education, those learning English and in high poverty areas.

To make sure there is an "apples to apples" comparison of the scores, the state has revised last year's numbers to make them more in-line with this year's calculations.

The state first released the CCRPI in 2012 as a new statewide accountability system. The release of the scores in May 2013 was considered a "study year." The DOE received feedback from school district and this year revised the CCPRI.